Unit 15 welcomes new board member
CLINTON — Clinton school board swore in new board member Jenny Haycraft Rudat at its April 25 board meeting and welcomed Karrah Jensen as director of teaching and learning beginning with the 2023-24 school year.
Dan Matthews was re-elected as board president; Tammie Ennis was named vice president and Sondra Baker was re-elected board secretary.
The board also approved the transfer of Clinton High School Spanish teacher Nichole Binder to coordinator for non-English speaking students in the district. Binder will begin the new position in June.
Nettles said Binder has been interpreting for district families and helping them with appointments and meetings while also teaching Spanish at the high school
“This is her passion,” said Nettles. “Frankly, if she doesn’t do this for us, she’s going to do it somewhere else or with some other organization. We feel this is a great fit for us. She already knows the school district and the families.”
The board also approved a 5 percent increase in the cost of the district’s employee health insurance premiums.
New quotes show a predicted 18 percent increase but “that’s crazy,” said Nettles, who recommended the board only approve the 5 percent increase.
All district employees are covered 100 percent by the district but pay additionally if they choose to insure family members.
“I have an issue with charging an 18 percent increase to those folks,” said Nettles.
“It would decimate some paychecks.”